Well starting over is part of the fun. I changed a few things and went back to a strictly 2 channel system. Changed the room (house) and am very happy once again. Only change on the horizon is to run proper power for the Krells. I'll run 2 dedicated 30amp lines and use the NEMA 5-30 twist locks to connect them in. I'll run dedicated lines for the EMM gear at the same time too.
We have similar systems. I had the EMM DCC2 SE in the past and found it sounded much better driving a high end preamp than driving a power amp directly. Cheers,
Hi on the subject of the NEMA 5-30 recepticles for the 650-MCs have you looked into any companies that make a quality set for this application or are you just going to go with off the shelf I'm looking into it for my Oh Well I hate to mention 700cx let me know if anybody name dropped a good company or product the twistlok sounds interesting. At my other house I had run a dedicated 30 amp line however I used a large three prong like dryer receptical it seemed like it made a good connection sence the actual prongs were about a half inch wide but they weren't gold,silver,rodium,platinum and or polished in between neither were they cryoed interested on your input thanks
Hi Heykay, Bigamp, Thanks for the comments. Truth be told I sold everything off during a divorce and just rebuilt everything from scratch. But with that said, there is no comparison between the 700cx and the 650mc mono's. Way more control, definition, air, sound stage....I could go on. Krell still does the upgrade but I don't think I'll part with these long enough to send them back. If a cap or resistor blows and it has to go back anyway, I'll probably do the upgrade. I changed from an SSP60 to the KCT and that was a huge upgrade but going to the DCC2SE was even bigger. But that could also be the change from the 700cx to the 650MC adding into the equation. But overall the sound is great and tunes once again sound like they should. Happy Listening.
I followed a similar path: changed from KCT to DCC2SE, and also used these with WP7s and a Krell amp. It was a major upgrade from the KCT to the DCC2SE. I sold the DCC2SE last year and have regret it ever since. Thinking about going back in that direction. Congrats on your new room and system.
What are your thoughts on and reasons for switching to the 650mc's from the 700cx and do you plan on upgrading them to the 750mcx's or does Krell still do that upgrade?
System edited: The new 2 channel system. It sounds fantastic. The DCC2SE/CDSDSE are a great combo and I'm really glad i took the chance. I liked the sound of the CDSA and this combo is far superior in absolutely every way. Could it be the change from a Krell KCT to the DCC2SE.....of course. The picture sucks but its the best i could do with a BB.
Hi Lapierre, I've thought about it. I heard an upgraded CDSA at a dealers but to really be able to comment I'd need to hear it in my system. The transport/laser assembly is far more solid that the previous version so it shouldn't be as prone to vibrational noise if a disc is slightly off balance.
I haven't tried the Transparent, or other manufacturers, CAST cables yet. I'm waiting for a pair to come up here so I can try them and not take a huge hit if I need to re-sell them. For the production year and upgrades to parts or firmware; I don't know if Krell made any changes. I just know how hot the Krells run and thought that if I could buy a newer unit for essentially the same money then that was better for me.
Hi thanks for the info and your opinions on the CAST verses XLR. Have you checked with Transparent to see if they make a version of the CAST cable? The reason I ask is I got some feedback from the person that help me set up my Sophias and he has the same system that you have WP7s /700cx but he uses one of the Krell cd preamp units I think it's the Kps28sc and he had the same opinion as you on the Krell CAST version. I think he switched to either TARA Labs or Siltech and said there was a big difference in sound quality. Also in reference to production year of the KCT do you think it's parts upgrades or just firmware updates?
Hi Heykay, I've had the KCT in my system for about 2 months now. It's one of the later KCT's built in Nov. 04. In terms of the KCT itself, running the way I have it configured now its one of the best Preamps Ive heard. It integrates with the 700CX very well. I use Transparent Balanced Ultra MM but did borrow a pair of Krell CAST cables to see how they sounded. In theory they should have sounded great and that was the expectation I had, but I really wasn't expecting the result I got. Many people may take exception to what Im going to say but in my system with my ears, I couldn't wait to get the CAST cables disconnected and out of it. It quite literally hurt my ears. There really wasnt any big difference in background, soundstage, dynamics, bass response, detail, etc, but there was an analytical harshness that turned me right off. The musicality was gone. I believe there's a synergy thats gained when you're running a complete system with matched cables and I lost that when I swapped out to the CAST cables. If you have the opportunity to buy a KCT do so. You wont be disappointed. Id borrow a pair of CAST cables and see how it integrates in your system. If youre like many people on Audiogon that have the KCT running CAST and love it its a bonus; if youre like me and find CAST isnt to your liking you can run the KCT with balanced cables and youve still got a fantastic Preamp. You win either way.
Hi how long have you been running the KCT in your system and how do you like it with the 700cx? I have a similar system except using sophias and a ML 380s was just thinking of changing to the KCT with advantage of using the CAST verses aes/ebu what are your thoughts or have you switched to CAST yet.
System edited: Added a dedicated preamp to my setup and finally found the missing link. Running the SSP-60 as a 2 channel preamp, no matter how good it is, was the limiting component for my 2 channel system. I am absolutely happy with the sound but would like to try the CAST connections just to see what improvement they may make. I looked at tube as well as SS and opted for the KCT.
Nice setup and room. We have similar components: WP7, Krell amp, EMM digital. I've also been looking at tube preamps. Your choices sound good. I recommend also listening to the Shindo pres. When I demoed one in my system, it added the right amount of body, without sounding tubey. Your mileage may vary.
System edited: Now that the CDP upgrade is done I can look forward to upgrading the Preamp. Looking at the Classe CP700, Audio Research Ref 3, VTL 6.5.
System edited: After listening to many CD and CD/SACD, players I ended up with the EMM CDSA SE. It was the best sounding out of any that I listened to. This included the Wadia 861SE and 581, dCS P8i, Audio Research CD3 mkII and CD7, Cord as well as several others.
Hugos, I agree there is something special with the WP7 and a Krell amp. For the CD player, I'm narrowing the field down but may just delay a bit if there's a new dCS unit on the forefront. You got a smok'n deal on your P8i, in fact you picked it up for less than 1/2 what I've seen quoted. The EMM is similarly priced where I am too. Cheers
Shadorne, Thank you for the kind words. You're right the in-wall/ceiling speakers aren't meant to be at the same level as my 2 channel system. Unobtrusive they are and fantastic at reproducing movie effects. I am actively pursuing room treatments, just having scheduling difficulties.
Great system, I had most of what you have at one point, Wilson W/P 7, driven by FPB 650CX Monos, end ML 32, DCS Elgar+ , Purcell, Esoteric P0S. I still have the SSP-60..but it is driven by CAV-500.Remember not many amps can drive you W/P like the Krells. Let me know what CD you are buying, I just ordered a P8i...I paid US$6500 brand new. The EMM was going for US$10,000. I heard a two box version of the P8i is coming soon by end of the year, I just saw the pictures and the transport looks just like the P8i with a half P8i sized processor.Looks ok...
Awesome - thanks for the pics. I have similar in wall speakers around the house and have an all B&W secondary HT in the kitchen. Indeed these are not up to the standard of your Watt Puppies but neither are they meant to be. Unotrusive and convenient still like the B&W in wals.
Have you considered acoustic treatments? - this might be your most bang for the buck considering the great system youu have already assembled....
